Doyle picks up the pace

EILIDH Doyle senses her present trajectory can elevate her towards the desired heights after priming herself for next weekend’s World Championship trials with victory in the 400 metres hurdles at the European Team Championships in Lille.

Of more personal significance than maximum points for a British team that will go into the final day in third place overall, the time of 54.60 seconds represented the Scot’s quickest, and most flawless, effort of 2017.

Despite a wealth of experience, the showing relieved a little of the pressure that has been building up. “I always get nervous,” admitted the Olympic medallist. “We kind of knew I wouldn’t come out as fast this year, because I hadn’t done as much hurdling and I’d an indoor season, but we’re kind of thinking it will come at the right time this year. I think I peaked too early last year at the Europeans and Monaco and by the time it came to the Olympics I was still running well but not as fast.”

Doyle was among six British winners, including Jack Green in the men’s 400m hurdles and the men’s 4x100m relay squad in a championships record of 38.08 secs. There was also a promising second place for Lennie Waite in the 3000m steeplechase as she edges back towards full fitness.

However there was disappointment for Jake Wightman as he came off second-best to Poland’s Marcin Lewandowski in the 1500m. Wightman said: “Second is obviously OK but you always want to be coming out from tactical races knowing you can beat those guys.”